Ice Cream Sandwich update finally starts rolling out on HTC Rezound

Rejoice, long-suffering HTC Rezound owners. Your protracted wait for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich seems to be nearing its end. After a shelved update and countless leaks, it looks like ICS for the Rezound is officially official this time. Posters on the Android Central forums, and elsewhere, have confirmed that a 299MB over-the-air update for the Rezound has begun pushing out to handsets across the country, bringing the phone up to software version 3.14.605.12.

Like other Ice Cream Sandwich updates for Sense 3.x phones, ICS on the Rezound comes bundled with Sense 3.6, which includes all the benefits of Android 4.0, but without the fancy new visual finery of Sense 4.0.

As is the case with many over-the-air updates, not everyone will get the update right away, as releases are staggered over a period of days to reduce the strain on the download servers. Nevertheless, Rezound owners can rest assured that the update is complete, and should be making its way to all handsets fairly soon.

If you're an HTC Rezound owner, let us know how you're getting on with the ICS update -- if you've received it -- down in the comments.

Source: Android Central forums

Apple and Samsung feud may finally end?

For a few years now, we have witnessed the long standing rivalry between the two phone giants, Samsung and Apple. The string of lawsuits and attempts of products bans from both parties make it appear that they're irreconcilable.

Just recently, reports were out that Judge Lucy Koh ordered a meeting between the two companies. Could this mean peace? The meeting is seen to be an attempt to end the ongoing madness and is said to be set on May 21 and 22.

If we will base the outcome of this meeting on their history, there's no doubt that the meeting will be intense and tension-filled. But with the court/mediator around, there may be hope for lasting understanding between the two companies. Until then, we have to wait and see.

Just to refresh your memory (if you want to), you may check out the great infographic provided here on the Samsung vs Apple Patent War.

Tags:

• google vs apple
• legal patent
• patent wars
• samsung vs apple

Unlocked UK Galaxy S II ICS update finally released

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AppId is over the quota

Being second in line to carrier branded versions of a device isn't really what you expect when you buy unlocked. But, in the UK those that opted to stump up their hard earned for an unlocked Galaxy S II have been in that very situation. All that can be put to one side finally, as Samsung have today started to push out the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the device. 

As ever, you'll be seeing the Touchwiz-ified version of ICS, but all the important bits are there underneath. The update isn't being pushed out OTA either, instead you'll have to download it via the Kies desktop application. But, it's here, and it's ICS. Have at it folks. Maybe things will be different when it comes to the Galaxy S III. 

via Slashgear

Vodafone Samsung Galaxy S II ICS update finally arrives

Good news, long-suffering Samsung Galaxy S II owners on Vodafone UK! Your Ice Cream Sandwich update has finally arrived! Following one last delay yesterday, the Android 4.0.3 update for Voda-branded Galaxy S II's begins rolling out today through Samsung's Kies software today.

ICS updates for the Samsung Galaxy S II first began pushing out in Korea and parts of Europe in mid-March. Vodafone says that its update has undergone "careful testing to ensure the highest level of quality for our customers."

The network adds that today's update will begin pushing out to handsets automatically from next Tuesday, April 17, so if Kies isn't your cup of tea, then you'll soon have the option to install over-the-air.

Source: Vodafone

AT&T Samsung Infuse 4G Gingerbread update finally available again, confirmed to work this time

It's been about two months since the AT&T Samsung Infuse 4G first saw its Android 2.3 Gingerbread made available, only to be yanked back due to some bugs. On Thursday, the download was finally revived via the Samsung Kies Mini application. Yes, folks. It's finally happening. (Again.)

Here's a reminder of what you'll be getting in the Android 2.3.6 update, which takes the software version up to UCLB3: 

• Improved Copy and Paste functionality


• Redesigned Multi Touch Software Keyboard


• Download manager for long running HTTP downloads


• Improved power management and application control


• Notification Shade: “Flight Mode” added (“Silent” removed)


• New Fonts options added include Choco Cooky, Cool Jazz, Rosemary


• Keyboard Changes: Android Keyboard with Wider Spaced keys and Quick Keys at the top


• New Widgets: The name of the content provider will be listed on the widget list along with the widget name. Previously only the widget name was provided.


• New Widget: Traffic (Android) added to list of available widgets


• Menu Changes/New Apps: Downloads and Google Books added new, Promotional pre-load of Angry Birds removed.

A slightly odd development: AT&T in its forum post says that this update will hard-reset your phone -- as in wipe anything that was previously on it. But that wasn't the case with our update. Regardless, be sure to back up your contacts and e-mails and pictures and the like, just in case. Then be sure to download Kies, and get to updating. Should take about 5 minutes or so once it gets going.

Download: Kies Mini for the Infuse 4G; More: Update instructions
Via: Samsung Infuse 4G forums

Sprint Nexus S 4G finally gets its Ice Cream Sandwich update

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Sprint as announced the availability of Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S 4G this afternoon. The version will be IMM76D, and it has the same 4.0.4 features as we've come to expect from the GSM versions of phones running it. Sprint hasn't gave an official timeline for when to expect the rollout, but we would suggest checking right about now to everyone who has been waiting. And don't forget -- if you get the update notice, hit one of the developers or forums advisers before you click anything if you want to help the community out by providing a download link.

For help getting back to stock, preparing for the OTA, or any questions about getting Ice Cream Sandwich on your NS4G officially, just hit the forums and holler. 

Source: Sprint; via +Steve McHenry

Samsung finally releases Galaxy S “Value Pack” update in Korea; US customers still in limbo

Back towards the tail-end of 2011, and up into the very beginning of 2012, there was a lot of back and forth on whether or not Samsung would update the original line of Galaxy S devices past Android 2.3, Gingerbread.

We first heard that Samsung would be releasing a “Value Pack,” or Android 4.0-lite, update for the Galaxy S with performance enhancements and certain features from ICS back-ported to Android 2.3. Just a few short days after the initial Value Pack announcement, a spokesperson with Samsung made it clear that no updates were going to be issued for the original Galaxy S.

Apparently that information wasn’t accurate, because Samsung has officially released their Samsung Galaxy S Value Pack update today in Korea.

Available now through Kies 2.0, the Samsung Galaxy S Value Pack update is exactly what it’s always been rumored as: a far cry from Android 4.0, but better than nothing. With the Value Pack update, Galaxy S users in Korea can expect performance enhancements and several features ported over from Android 4.0 like automatic font resizing, the ability to take pictures while filming video and face unlock (which Samsung has added blink detection to, making it somewhat more secure than Google’s version).

US Galaxy S owners may be out of luck on this one. There’s been no word of Samsung’s Value Pack reaching the States anytime soon, and there’s little reason to believe it will. If that situation changes, we’ll be sure to update you.

Any Galaxy S owners out there been waiting for this one? We’d love to know how the Value Pack update is, so be sure to share your experiences in the comments if you have access. We’d also like to know what you think of something like a “Value Pack” update. Is it nice to see Samsung is still working on software for older devices, or is a few back-ported features more like a slap in the face?

MotoACTV update finally coming March 9, brings 40 new activities with it

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Back in February Motorola teased us about an upcoming update for the MotoACTV, which they said would land around March 7. If you recall, the MotoACTV is Motorola's Android based fitness tracker, and while March 7 was yesterday, Motorola has confirmed the update to be available for tomorrow, March 9. This update will bring calorie tracking, heart rate monitoring and more for 40 new activities such as yoga, tennis, basketball and many others.

In addition to adding the new activities they have also added the ability to flick your wrist to wake up the screen, the ability to set up an account over Wifi, and you can host or join competitions with your friends. Keep your eyes peeled for the update, and be sure to sing out in the forums when it becomes available for you!

Source: Motorola